Health/Fitness/PE

Body and Mind

As current research has demonstrated, health fitness and exercise are crucial to mood regulation, stress reduction, attention and learning.

Health and fitness opportunities at Dearborn range from a regular health class where students learn important information about their emotional and mental health, to activities woven in to our gym program, to physical activities during recess and regular breaks.

Health/Fitness

High School students take a health class at least once weekly. This class provides education on the following topics:

Nutrition and diet

Physiological and psychological benefits of exercise

Health risks associated with substance abuse

The effects of stress on health and well being

Healthy social relationships

STDs and reproductive health

During the fitness section of the course students engage in a variety of physical activities (stretching, jogging, calisthenics), often outdoors, and learn to monitor their progress. Students actively learn what a cardiovascular work out is. They also learn different stress reduction techniques from breathing exercises, to guided imagery, to yoga.

Physical Education

All students take part in at least one 45-minute gym class per week. Activities include basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton, kickball, soccer, football and softball.

Ninth and tenth graders take a two-period gym class each week, which offers a variety of activities, including a hiking option, and a team sports option.

Students also participate in physical group building activities modeled on “project adventure.” Students start with our own Burma Bridge rock climbing wall and as they gain confidence we include field trips to rock climbing venues and other outdoor adventures.

In grades 11 and 12, students have one gym class each week, during which they engage in a variety of activities including team sports and adventure-based activities. Two periods weekly students participate in individual fitness activities, including, walking, running, stretching and calisthenics. Students set goals and monitor and log their own progress.

Bobcats Basketball

Dearborn's basketball team successfully competes against other alternative schools. Practice is in the mornings before breakfast, games are held during the school day. Usually there are also one or two middle school students who make the team. Home games are held at Fidelity House in Arlington Center.